Open the Gates

Chapter 6- Wolf

Warnings: Swearing, death, drugs, implied violence

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Perspective: Mirlou

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A couple of months have passed. It's the end of May now. Most spring flowers have started to hide away, but the trees are a bright green and the sun is shining way more often than before, so it isn't that much of a pity. Since then school life has continued as well. It was definitely weird without Lulu there, and her empty desk was a painful reminder of prior events. However, a few weeks ago, a new student joined the class, so it fills the obvious gap a little. Still, it feels like the class isn't the same as before. Maybe it's because we're nearing the end of the semester, but I personally think it's because of Lulu. It's quieter. Eerie.

In those months, I found shelter within my new home. It seems they all consider me part of the family now. We eat, play, laugh and cry together. Now that the days have gotten longer, we often hang out together on rooftops and watch the sunset. Well, only the adults and me. Even Daemon joins in on the fun, he's surprisingly good at parkour. Yomi told me that he's able to do that kind of stuff because of sheer determination, unlike his transforming, which is due to Yomi's magic influence on the rest.

Speaking of,

I've become friends with basically everyone in the household. Ember and Goef act more like parents, but the latter sometimes acts more like a big sibling than anything. Or like a mentor, because he was finally able to teach me how to half transform. Yomi is a real big sister. She seems to enjoy teaching me about different kinds of magic and spells. Sometimes we just go into the forest and practice, but in the end, I'm not really fit for magic.

Mira and Kei, the two other real kids play with me like actual kids. They act like you expect a 12 year old to, but to be fair, Mira is only 13. Kei refuses to talk about demon stuff, but enthusiastically shows me things from school all the time. A few weeks ago, they even approached me with a box and told me to sit in it. When I did, they got all happy.

I asked Yomi about that behavior, but she ignored me. Same with Goef. Guess it's a forbidden thing to talk about here.

Kiyomi, the one that was called a kid by Ember when I first got here, definitely doesn't seem like a child. She barely talks, but when she does, it's in demonic. I've never heard her say anything in a human language. Once again, I asked Yomi about this, but this time, she actually told me what's going on.

'She's a god- well, used to be.' She explained, looking off into the distance with a grim expression. 'Goef challenged her- typical demon behavior- but Goef actually won. To keep her in check, she lives with us now. She's lost a lot of her powers, but I drain most of what's left so she doesn't just escape.'

'Why don't you just let her go?' I asked. I felt bad for Kiyomi, I know how she must be feeling.

'What do you think happens to a god who can't fulfill their job?'

'They get punished, I guess.'

'Yes. Punished by death. When that happens- they get killed, I mean- they transform into incredibly powerful demons, like Esmir.'

'Are you saying Esmir is a god?'

'Perhaps. They're powerful enough to be one.'

As for the other two people living here, Daemon and Mitexi...

Mitexi stays shy and hasn't opened up to me yet. When they see me, they walk the other way and never make eye contact. When I wanted to ask Ember what's wrong he glared at me and walked away. I guess it's something between them. There's really only one thing I've noticed about him- he always wears bandages. Sometimes just his arms, but other times his legs and even tail and neck are covered too. He's quite athletic as well, as he often goes outside to take a jog. Most of those times, Ember goes with him. They really are close, I guess.